The Supreme Court will urgently review an appeal from two dressage riders challenging their exclusion from India's 2026 Asian Games team. This follows the Delhi High Court's finding of procedural errors by the Equestrian Federation of India, though it previously declined to stall the team submission process.
The Supreme Court is preparing for an urgent hearing regarding the composition of India’s dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games. Two riders, Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, have moved the top court after the Delhi High Court declined to intervene in their exclusion, despite noting clear procedural failures by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
Procedural Lapses and Court Observations
The dispute centers on the federation's adherence to its own internal guidelines. A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court specifically identified that the EFI did not follow mandatory clauses during the selection process. These lapses included the failure to publish a provisional merit list and the omission of a required 'probables' list, steps designed to ensure transparency. While the EFI defended its actions by citing tight schedules, the High Court found these explanations insufficient and described the federation’s process as being conducted with undue haste.
The Deadline Challenge
Despite the judicial acknowledgement of these irregularities, the Delhi High Court initially refused to order a new selection process. The primary reason cited was the looming July 15 deadline for the final submission of the Asian Games roster. The court expressed concern that disrupting the team structure at this late stage could risk India's overall participation in the event, leading it to dispose of the petitions while directing the EFI to ensure stricter compliance with its own rules in future selection cycles.
Impact of the Legal Dispute
The riders, who were initially relegated to the reserve list, are now seeking relief from the Supreme Court. The legal proceedings highlight ongoing governance concerns within sports federations regarding the fairness and transparency of selection criteria. For observers, the key focus remains on whether the Supreme Court will provide a remedy that addresses the procedural grievances without causing a disqualification of the Indian contingent, given the proximity to the submission deadline.